Company Outing - Albay and Sorsosgon Tour
By rsa101
@rsa101 (37952)
Philippines
March 25, 2019 8:41pm CST
It was a delightful 3 day company outing we have had for this year. Our company decided to do it early this summer to avoid the crowds and its much cheaper. Our chosen destination Sorsogon Province. We explored a lot of places both from Albay and Sorsogon province. It was nice to be with my province mates again and roaming around the place is such a refreshing feeling and seeing that the province tourism industry is thriving is making me feel proud of my place.
Day 1 we toured Legaspi City and nearby Daraga and visited the
Cagasawa Ruins. Then after going around Legaspi City we proceeded to Sorsogon and made a quick stop on our hotel. later in the afternoon we made an effort of visiting a public school and donated a TV and educational videos to them part of our itinerary to do some outreach to a public school in the place. Then after that we went to a river cruise to watch the sunset and ate at a dampa nearby. In turn we also help the community support their eco tourism effort. Then by night upon returning back we witness thousands of fireflies along the way back. It was a spectacular sight to see.
Day 2 We went to the farthest point of the province. We went to Matnog Port and had an awesome island hopping experience. It was a nice experience jumping from island to island ans swam in their cool waters but under the scorching sun. We enjoyed it there the whole morning and enjoyed each others company. After the whole day activity we were really exhausted but because of the adrenaline we have had in the place most were still ecstatic around and made a small party in the hotel until the wee hours.
Day 3 we visited another community based eco tourism surfing site. I felt a little tired already that I decided not to join the surfing lessons there. I just chilled around and enjoyed the place relaxing and bumming around. After lunch we decided to return back to Legaspi to catch our plane back to Manila. it was a Friday so traffic was heavy when arriving in Manila again. I spend the whole weekend resting for this week's back to work again.
The whole experience was unique that we were able to enjoy the place and at the same time help the community based eco tourism sites we visited. They were thankful that we chose them as our destination to visit the place. I certainly know that we somehow helped them in their livelihoods.
27 people like this
26 responses
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
26 Mar 19
It was a great experience to have such team-building activity with a cause.
4 people like this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
29 Mar 19
@acelawrites, so true, I hope to reach those places soon.
1 person likes this
@brokenbee (11090)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
I would love to visit those places too... I heard of Matnog port, oh, actually, watched a video on YouTube that they went there to catch a ferry to bring them to another island...
It is really nice to read about these kinds of adventures.
4 people like this
@MGjhaud (23171)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
I suddenly remember Sineskwela. Back in the day, we watched it at the principal's office every time it's on air and it was almost always the highlight of our day.
TV donation was a good choice.
P.S. Thank you for suggesting this post, @hereandthere.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
Indeed and ours was R&R with a cause because before we really enjoyed the place we chose one public school and trained and donated a TV set and a hard drive with educational shows to watch for their students. We also trained the teachers there on how they can best utilize it for their teaching.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
@rsa101 it's good that you also trained the teachers so the tv will be put to good use that benefits the students
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
plane travel saves a lot of time. it was nice of you to add outreach into your trips.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
Well I worked in a foundation and we always see to it that we do not just enjoy the place where we pick our outing, we see top it that we do something and leave something for the public schools which is our stakeholders as well. It took us months to plan the activities that it would not interfere with our R&R. That is always out tradition to make R&R with a cause.
3 people like this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
It would have been nice if she and @rebel_woman06 met each other in Legaspi :)
3 people like this
@jobelbojel (34729)
• Philippines
26 Mar 19
What a way to start the summer. You had a great adventure and team building. I hope I can book one or two tours this year.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
26 Mar 19
@jobelbojel Everyone needs a break at some point in time in their busy lives. I think you should set one in the coming days.
1 person likes this
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
2 Apr 19
One of my friend also told me their office made a trip for them, the expenses met by office. I rarely heard such outings arranged by office and I am sure it a great chance for employees to entertain and rejuvenate.
Glad to know about yours too. Hope you are fully refreshed for the work now.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
29 Mar 19
Were you able to see Mayon Volcano in its majestic form. Didn't you have pictures with Mayon on the background.
So generous of your company to give you a summer outing far5 from Manila. And you traveled by plane. Wow!
How many were you?
I haven't been to that fireflies' place in Sorsogon. What resort is that in the picture by the way?
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
29 Mar 19
When we arrive there Mayon had a cloud cover. My office mates still admired them because its quite unique to see a mountain with that almost perfect cone. I am used to seeing the site and I am always am amazed myself even though I have seen them many times being a Bicolano myself. We visited Daraga Church, Cagsawa Ruins and Lignon Hills and the Japanese Tunnel and the Legaspi Boulevard which I know passes through your workplace.
In Sorsogon, We visited the Buhatan River Cruise. It was a nice and relaxing travel. You go there late at 5pm and you will pass through the river till about passed 6 when you reach the end of the river going to the sea where you will see the sunset and the view of Sorsogon City. Then from there there is a small dampa where you can eat till its dark. While returning back you will see from the nearby trees hundreds of fireflies hovering together. Its a nice site to see while going back to where you started. Its a 45 minute travel on a bamboo raft pulled by a motorized boat. We were 24 employees all in all and stayed there last Mar 20-22. We stayed at Siama Hotel in Sorsogon City, The resort were we swam was Subic Dako an island in Matnog about 45mins boat ride.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
29 Mar 19
@SIMPLYD It's in Bgy Buhatan in Sorsogon City. It good to travel there in groups. The raft could hold about 10-12 people at a time. The guides there told me that its best to be there when the moon is not full since there are times that the river glows as well because of some light emitting algae but when the moon is bright they are not visible. We were not able to witness that since we went there fullmoon so the algae did not emit their light on the river.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
29 Mar 19
@rsa101 Where in Sorsogon is the Buhatan River Cruise? I also want to experience that.
My daughter and her boyfriend have already experienced that, one summer vacation when they were still medical students.
So the fireflies' watching is party of the Buhatan River cruise?
1 person likes this
@ardoy0731 (7308)
• Philippines
26 Mar 19
It is quite a long travel but just enjoy when you get there. Enjoy the province vibe while taking a break from toxic city.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
3 Apr 19
Yeah many of my co workers are really missing the place that they took a lot of pictures of themselves and with the groupd to have memories preserved about that wonderful experience they have in the place. I truly enjoyed the part of my home region where I am not ale to explore.
What good in this outing is that we always see to it that the place we enjoyed we leave behind something for the community to benefit from.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
29 Mar 19
@nela13 Yeah we met at the hotel some businessmen who are scouting for beach property around the province. They were a bit disappointed that prices of land has started to jack up because many see Sorsogon as the next tourist spot in bicol region.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34369)
•
30 Mar 19
Wow, you had a wonderful adventure viewing some historical sights at Legaspi City, getting some sun and surf at
Matnog Port. 
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
3 Apr 19
@dgobucks226 Indeed I think I missed the beach so much I forgot the time already. 
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@janethwayne (5193)
• Philippines
27 Mar 19
Wow what a lovely place and view.Hope you all enjoy that.
2 people like this
@cttolledo (5460)
• Legaspi, Philippines
18 May 19
Awesome travel, enjoying while helping. Next time your group can explore more good places in Bicol.
1 person likes this
@Iam_jauntyjen (4951)
•
2 Apr 19
I am a Filipino. My best friend's hometown is Sorsogon. She asked me to tag along with her whenever she would go on vacation but I could not because I had always been busy with work. I heard that there are many magnificent beaches there.
1 person likes this
